About

Why Focus

Focus Strategies is dedicated to helping communities improve efforts to end homelessness by using local data to shape program and system design using a “systems thinking” approach. We have worked with clients from across the country at all levels, including local and state government agencies and philanthropic and large non-profit organizations.

Our passion is helping communities empower themselves with the information and tools needed to end homelessness strategically.

Homelessness as a field has entered a new era of improved knowledge and increased accountability.

The national goals of the HEARTH Act — reducing homelessness, shortening its duration and reducing it re-occurrence — are objectives all communities now share.

Research and evaluation has illuminated a number of evidence-based practices and helped the field to question widely-held assumptions about what works.

HMIS and other data systems have reached a level of maturity that allows them to be used as planning and evaluative tools.

To maximize resources and make progress on ending homelessness, communities need to apply these changes to their local reality. Focus Strategies is excited to work with communities to build on what works and reconsider what can be improved in light of local data and national research.

Services We Offer

Our work for these communities includes data-driven systems planning and performance measurement; design and implementation of coordinated entry systems, program evaluations and needs assessments; conducting and supporting community Point in Time (PIT) Counts; and technical assistance in the development of supportive housing.

Data-Driven Systems Planning and Performance MeasurementFocus Strategies is dedicated to helping communities reduce and end homelessness through the use of local performance and other data. The goal of no one experiencing homelessness longer than 30 days, as articulated in the federal Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, frames all of our efforts.

Coordinated EntryWe believe that an effective coordinated entry system is essential to minimizing homelessness and reaching functional zero within each community. We have worked alongside many communities to build or refine their coordinated entry processes to advance the objective of greater reductions in homelessness and alignment with Opening Doors, the federal strategic plan to end homelessness.

Needs Assessments and Program EvaluationsFocus Strategies conducts both system and program level assessments and evaluations. We help our clients ensure their systems and programs are operating efficiently and effectively.

Development of Supportive Housing Systems and ProjectsFocus Strategies has worked with communities to design and develop supportive housing systems, as well as individual supportive housing projects. Our work in this area includes advising clients on how to secure and align financing sources to create feasible and sustainable permanent supportive housing projects and programs.

Point in Time CountsEvery other year, communities across the United States conduct the HUD-mandated Point in Time (PIT) count, which is designed to provide a snapshot of a region’s sheltered and unsheltered homeless population. We have provided clients with a range of technical assistance to support PIT counts, including designing and implementing a methodology that complies with HUD requirements and generates the most accurate possible count of homeless people.

Focus Strategies

We believe the HEARTH Act and Opening Doors lead the way to finally ending homelessness. To turn the curve locally, each community must identify where it has the most traction and how to best apply its resources to the issue. Communities will need to make data-driven decisions to develop the policies, projects, programs and system solutions that will work for them. We can help.